Cobblestone streets and cheery-coloured timer houses make this quaint Bavarian town well worth a visit, and its traditional Christmas market means its appeal lasts all year long
This gorgeous town in the heart of Bavaria could be pulled straight from the pages of a storybook. Quaint cobblestone streets, ice cream-hued buildings and window sills adorned with flowerboxes give this town an almost Disney-like quality. But there’s so much more to this northern Bavarian town than its fanciful façade.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber is steeped in history and is a great base to sample German beers and traditional fare. The fairytale town, which you may have seen on social media, is also home to some of the region’s most impressive medieval architecture and timber houses.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber sits halfway between Frankfurt and Nuremberg, making it easily accessible for travellers arriving at both Nuremberg and Frankfurt airports. There is a direct 1.5 hour flight from London Stansted that can take you to Nuremberg in an hour and a half, from there, it’s only a 50-minute scenic train ride to Rothenburg ob der Tauber.
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Alternatively, there are plenty of non-stop flights running daily from the UK to Frankfurt that come in at under 1.5 hours. From Frankfurt, the train ride is slightly longer than from Nuremberg—around 2 hours—but still with plenty of gorgeous vistas to enjoy.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber has much to offer those who want to visit for more than a day. There are also plenty of charming guesthouses and old town hotels on offer to make your stay comfortable and memorable.
At the heart of the city’s old town is the famous Plönlein building, a yellow half-timbered house that translates to “small place by the fountain”. The Plönlein has become the postcard landmark of the town, for its distinct hue and was the inspiration for the architecture of the 1940 Disney classic ‘Pinocchio’.
After visiting the historic house, travellers can stroll the cobbled streets to other landmarks like the Old City Moat of the Old Rothenburg craftsman’s house—one of the oldest, original houses in the town. There is even a tour guided about the craftsman’s widow, Walburga.
If that’s not your cup of tea, there are a host of guided tours to educate travellers about the town’s unique history. The nun “Sabine” is available to provide guided tours of the Rothenburg Museum, which was once a Dominican monastery.
For something a bit more entertaining, a cloaked ‘shameface’ provides a lively tour of the oldest part of Rothenburg while recounting juicy tales of drunks and thieves from the Middle Ages. And for the brave of heart, a costumed executioner is available to tell tales of witchcraft and superstitions from Rothenburg’s history.
Travellers that want to discover the city for themselves can stroll along the medieval wall that was built to fortify the area. A walk along this length wall offers impressive views of the surrounding valleys.
While the bright old town and historic walls are certainly worth seeing during the summer, the town has just as much charm in the winter. The Rothenburg Christmas Market is well regarded in Bavaria and certainly worth planning your trip around.
The 2025 Christmas market will run from November 21 to December 23, always on the Friday before the first Advent. The market will have 61 stalls showcasing everything from local artisanal goods to classic German fare of currywurst (fries and chopped bratwurst) and mugs of steaming hot gluhwein (mulled wine).
There is no wrong time to visit Rothenburg, and with its close proximity to major German cities it makes for a low-commitment and low-cost daytrip.
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